Eiichiro Oda has a knack for introducing characters who feel like they’ve been lurking in the shadows for decades, just waiting to wreck the status quo. Saint Figarland Garling is exactly that. When he first walked onto the page in Chapter 1086, the One Piece community basically had a collective meltdown. It wasn't just that he looked like a moon-headed menace with a sharp suit; it was what he represented. This guy is the former "Champion" of God Valley and the Supreme Commander of the Holy Knights.
He’s old. He’s mean. And honestly, he’s probably one of the most dangerous people in the series right now.
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Think about the World Government for a second. We’ve spent hundreds of chapters thinking the Five Elders were the peak of the mountain, under Imu, of course. But then Garling shows up, executing a fellow Celestial Dragon—Saint Donquixote Miosgard—like he’s just taking out the trash. That signaled a shift. The rules for the elites were changing. Then, in Chapter 1125, the game changed forever when Garling was appointed as the new Warrior God of Agriculture, replacing the late (and disintegrated) Saint Jaygarcia Saturn.
Why the Figarland Name Actually Matters
If you’re a casual fan, the name "Figarland" might sound familiar but you can't quite place it. It actually dropped first in One Piece Film: Red. During a brief scene, the Five Elders wonder if Uta belongs to the "Figarland Family" because she’s Shanks’ daughter. That was the first breadcrumb.
Now we know for a fact that Saint Garling is a core member of this bloodline. The physical resemblance between a young Garling (seen in flashbacks) and Shanks is too close to ignore. The hair, the facial structure, the sheer sword-fighting prowess—it’s all there.
He represents the "pure" side of that lineage. While Shanks is out there partying with pirates and trying to keep the peace, Garling is a supremacist. He views anyone who isn't a Celestial Dragon as "vermin" or "trash." It’s a harsh contrast. He isn't just a villain; he's the ideological opposite of the series' most beloved mentor figure.
The God Valley Incident: Garling's Bloody Sandbox
We finally got a glimpse of what happened 38 years ago at God Valley, and it wasn’t just a pirate brawl. It was a "Manhunt." Garling was the star of the show. He was younger, rocking a much more eccentric hairstyle, and leading the charge in a competition to see who could slaughter the most inhabitants of the island.
It’s gruesome stuff.
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Garling was the frontrunner to win the tournament before Rocks D. Xebec, Roger, and Garp crashed the party. This gives us a massive clue about his power level. If you’re the "Champion" of an event that involves some of the strongest people in the world, you aren't just some politician with a fancy title. You’re a combatant. He carries a distinct saber and moves with the confidence of a man who has never lost a fight that mattered.
The God Valley flashback also confirmed that Garling has a history with the Holy Knights. These guys are essentially the internal police for the Celestial Dragons. If a noble steps out of line, the Holy Knights come knocking. Garling was their leader, which means he had the authority to judge and execute his own kind. That is a level of power we hadn't seen until recently.
The Promotion to the Five Elders
Most people didn't see the Chapter 1125 twist coming. After Saturn failed to stop Luffy and let Vegapunk’s message broadcast to the world, Imu decided a change was needed. Imu didn't just fire Saturn; he drained the life right out of him.
And who walks into the Room of Authority to take the seat? Garling.
This is a huge deal for a few reasons:
- Fresh Blood: The Elders have seemed like a static group for years. Replacing one proves that they are replaceable assets to Imu.
- Military Mindset: Garling is much more of a "warrior" than Saturn seemed to be. While Saturn focused on science and defense, Garling is a conqueror.
- The Shanks Connection: Having someone who is likely Shanks’ father (or at least a very close relative) sitting at the highest seat of global power adds a layer of personal stakes to the final saga.
Is he going to have a "demon form" like the other Elders? Probably. The other four transform into massive, mythological beasts (the Yokai forms). Given that Garling took Saturn's spot, it's safe to assume he also inherited whatever dark ritual or power allows for that transformation. He is no longer just a man; he is a "Warrior God."
Power Scaling and the Holy Knights
Let’s talk about the Holy Knights (God's Knights) for a second. We’ve seen their silhouettes. One of them looks suspiciously like Shanks, leading to a million "Twin" theories on Reddit. But Garling is the one who set the standard.
When Dragon, the leader of the Revolutionary Army, mentions that the "real battle begins when the Holy Knights move," he’s talking about Garling’s squad. These aren't the bumbling, snot-nosed nobles we saw at Sabaody. These are elite warriors.
Garling’s fighting style appears to be pure swordsmanship. In the brief panels we have of him in action at God Valley, he’s fast and lethal. He doesn't use a Devil Fruit—or at least hasn't needed to yet. In the world of One Piece, top-tier Haki usually trumps everything, and someone with Garling's lineage and position almost certainly possesses an overwhelming level of Conqueror’s Haki.
Why Everyone Is Getting Him Wrong
A lot of fans think Garling is just a "fill-in" villain. That’s a mistake. Oda doesn't introduce the "Champion of God Valley" and a member of the Figarland family just to have him be a secondary antagonist.
He is the bridge between the world's secret history and the current generation. He’s the personification of the World Government's cruelty. Unlike some villains who have "tragic backstories," Garling seems to be purely, unapologetically elitist. He genuinely believes some people are born to be stepped on.
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That makes him a perfect foil for Luffy’s dream of ultimate freedom.
What This Means for the Final Saga
As the series hurtles toward the end, Garling's role is going to expand. He’s now in charge of "Agriculture," which sounds boring until you realize that in One Piece, control over resources and food is a primary weapon of the World Government. Remember the "Mother Flame"? Remember the Lulusia Kingdom getting blinked out of existence? Garling is now the one overseeing the logistics of the world's survival—or its starvation.
The tension between Garling and the Revolutionary Army is also peaking. Sabo saw the "empty" throne wasn't empty. Now that Garling is an Elder, the Revolutionaries aren't just fighting a system; they are fighting a man who spent his youth hunting people for sport.
Actionable Insights for Following the Story:
- Re-watch/Read the God Valley Flashback: Specifically Chapter 1095 and 1096. Look at Garling’s interactions with other nobles. It sets the tone for his personality.
- Track the "Figarland" Name: Keep an eye out for any mentions of this family name in the Elbaf arc. It’s highly likely that the giants or other ancient races have a historical grudge against this specific bloodline.
- Watch the Sabo/Dragon Reactions: The next time we see the Revolutionary Army react to the news of the new Five Elders, their specific reaction to Garling will tell us how much they truly know about his past crimes.
- Compare the Swords: Look at the hilt of Garling's sword versus Shanks' sword, Gryphon. There are design similarities that suggest they may have been forged by the same master or belong to a specific set of noble blades.
The introduction of Saint Figarland Garling has effectively raised the stakes. The Five Elders are no longer just old men in a room; they are a rotating cast of Imu’s most loyal—and deadly—enforcers.